USF Health Heart Institute Picks Up Another $2 Million

A day after Governor Scott signed a state budget that approved $6.9 million in funding for USF's new Health Heart Institute, the Hillsborough County Commission gave the okay to another $2 million.

Hillsborough County will provide the funds over a five year period for the Institute's equipment and space.

"We believe that the technology developed here will herald a new day and that USF Health will be able to partner with the best industry and academic partners throughout the world to develop these new personalized and genetic approaches to health," according to Dr. Stephen K. Klasko, CEO of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

According to a press release, USF Health has committed nearly $25 million in resources for genomics-based personalized medicine, including funding of equipment and facilities. They've also hired two top physicians, Dr. Leslie Miller, the chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, and Dr. Steve Liggett, director of the Personalized Medicine Institute.